Saed News: Drying figs at home is very easy, but if you use the wrong method, the figs will turn black.
According to the Household Service of Saed News Analytical News Agency, drying figs at home is very easy, but if you use the wrong method, the figs will turn black. So how can you dry figs without them turning black? In this article from the household section, you can learn the method of drying figs without blackening.
Boiling figs before drying prevents them from turning black. In fact, boiling destroys the active enzymes in the figs and stops the oxidation process, which in turn prevents the fruit from blackening.
In this method, you should wash the figs and drain them. Then, place a pot of water on heat until it boils; put the washed figs into the boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes and then drain again. Let the figs dry completely. Then spread them on a clean cloth and place them in indirect sunlight to dry.
Keep in mind that exposing figs to direct sunlight causes them to turn black. Therefore, it’s better to place the figs in a sunny place but away from direct sunlight so they dry slowly.
One of the reasons figs turn black after drying is the reaction of sugars, proteins, and phytochemicals with oxygen in the air. To prevent figs from blackening, you can use juices containing ascorbic acid and vitamin C.
In this method, prepare some natural lemon juice or orange juice. Then, for every kilogram of figs, mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of lemon or orange juice with 1 liter of warm water. Soak the figs in this mixture and after 5 to 10 minutes, drain them.
One of the simplest and most common ways to dry figs without blackening is to place them in the sun. In this method, it’s better to put the figs on a tray or cloth and place the tray in sunlight to dry. You can also use a fruit dryer or an oven to dry the figs.
In industrial methods and for drying large amounts of figs, a powder called metabisulfite is usually used. This powder prevents the figs from changing color and helps preserve their color after drying, while also preventing bacterial and fungal growth.
In this method, dissolve 1 gram of metabisulfite in 1 liter of water. Then soak the figs in this solution for a few minutes. Afterwards, drain the figs and dry them using your preferred method.
Black tea contains a substance called tannin, which helps preserve the natural color of fruits and prevents them from blackening. To prevent figs from blackening during drying, you can brew some strong black tea by boiling tea leaves and letting it simmer until it darkens.
Then soak the figs in the strong tea. After a few minutes, drain the figs and dry them using your preferred method. Note that this method may slightly change the flavor of the figs.
There are several reasons figs turn black. Usually, the drying conditions greatly affect their color. Below are the most important tips to prevent figs from blackening when dried:
Do not expose figs to air for a long time
Dried figs contain a lot of iron, and prolonged exposure to oxygen causes oxidation and blackening. The enzymes in figs react with air and darken.
Avoid drying figs in hot air
If figs are dried in very warm air, their color may darken. Dry figs at a suitable temperature, away from intense heat.
Be careful with sunlight exposure
Another cause of blackening is prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. It’s better to dry figs in a sunny place but away from direct sun.
Watch out for pests
Sometimes figs exposed to a contaminated environment grow microbes and pests that darken the fruit. Protect figs from environmental contaminants.
Always use healthy and completely dry figs for drying.
It is better to use unwashed figs when drying in the sun. Washing figs before drying increases the risk of mold and spoilage.
When drying figs in a fruit dryer, wash and clean them well, then slice and place them on the dryer trays. Turn on the dryer and let the figs dry for a few hours. This method preserves the taste and color better and prevents blackening.
To dry figs in the oven, wash and drain them, then slice into rings. Cover the oven tray with aluminum foil, preheat the oven to 50-60°C (122-140°F), and place the tray inside until the figs dry well. Slice figs before drying in the oven, solar dryer, or fruit dryer.
Drying figs with metabisulfite powder may cause allergic reactions, so this type of fig is not suitable for everyone.
In this article, we answered the question of how to dry figs without blackening. Keep in mind there are many ways to prevent figs from turning black, and if you use the simple tricks mentioned here, your figs will never turn black.
